Thirty four

Friday Morning.

Riley sat in her room putting on some makeup.

So far today, she had no plans. Until the girls, or Levi texted. He was still under the hidden name on her phone. She sat putting on some winged liner, as her phone chimed.

A smile appeared on her lips, as she finished up her eye. Looking at herself in the mirror and examining the winged liner, she then looked down and picked her phone up. Unlocking it, her smile dropped it was from a number not saved into her contacts.

' Hey Riley, I hope I'm not disturbing you. I was just wondering if maybe you wanted to hang out? Grab some iced tea, or something? Let me know :~)

Oscar. '

Scrolling down the message, she then made a face. Oh, she forgot to properly save his number. It had been a couple of weeks since they spoke at the party, and she hadnt heard from him. Was he waiting on her texting? She wasnt interested in that way, but how do you even tell that?

She didnt know if she was going to have plans today.

-

After talking to everyone, no one really knew what today had in store. Riley decided there would be no harm in saying yes to Oscar, for a couple of hours. Maybe, she'll be able to let him down gently. Even though she had no clue how to.

-

Noon.

Riley headed down the road to the beach. Looking left and right as she crossed the road, she then stood at the sidewalk. After around five minutes, someone tapped her shoulder and she turned. Oscar stood in front of her smiling. His hair slicked back into a snapback, some stubble around his mouth and a tank shirt with jeans.

"Hey!" He greeted her happily. "Hi there" Riley smiled politely. "So, would you liked some tea...or...?" He began. "Yeah, teas good. I can do tea." Riley nodded. "Great! I know a nice tea bar" He told her, as he guided her to walk with his hand.

"I'm really happy you agreed to this today" He told her as they walked along the sidewalk. "Uh yeah, sure. I've been kinda busy so...a couple of hours wont do no harm." Riley nodded, as she looked straight ahead.

They got to the tea bar and started chatting. To be honest, conversation was flowing easier than expected. They were having a laugh. Talking about music, school, past stories of embarrassing moments. Which tea they like best, and which ones they dont like. It resulted in best and worst foods.

Time went on and it was nearly three in the afternoon by the time they were heading back along the sidewalk at the beach.

"The guys should audition again this year. They may get in" Oscar told her as they came to a bench. "Yeah, I know they would. I agree, they should do it" Riley nodded, as she sat down. The brick from the wall beneath her stung a little on her legs with heat from the sun.

She looked at the little tea she had left, then to Oscars.

"Yeah, they are really talented..." She smiled trailing off, as Levi's smile popped into her mind. Looking back at Oscar she realized he was looking just slightly oddly to her. Nice one Riley.

Clearing her throat, she looked away again.

"Your eyes shine beautifully in the sunlight" Oscar then told her smiling. Turning back to him, she was shocked. What the heck was she supposed to say to him? She felt bad just saying she didnt like him more than a possible friend.

"Uh, thank you" She half smiled. "Thanks for hanging out today, I really enjoyed it. Your company" Oscar nodded with a smile. "Yeah no problem. Uh...its cool" She began to get a little anxious, as she sipped some tea. "Not my place to ask but...are you interested in seeing anyone right now?" He then asked.

Riley sipped more, more than needed and soon one of the fruit jellies from the bottom got sucked up and she accidentally choked on it. It slid down her throat, and she coughed. Covering her mouth, she managed to get her breath back.

With the look on Oscar's face, it seemed like that was not the reaction he was looking for.

"Um, I dont...it's more complicated than that..." She then cleared her throat as she looked at him. "You wouldnt be interested?" He asked. "Yeah, I am." She then blurted out. "It's just...things right now isnt that great with my parents. My dad is watching me like a hawk..." She shrugged.

"I cant go walking around the place with someone right now" She then looked away. Sadly, she'd want that more than anything now with Levi. "Hopefully one day...really soon." She then nodded. "Start things off slow?" Oscar then asked her.

"...Yeah, make sure everything will be alright" Riley smiled, as she looked back up. Oscar smiled and nodded, as he leaned in closer to her. Riley gasped back silently, as their lips managed to miss each others by literally half a centimeter.

By moving back, she accidentally knocked his tea out of his hand resulting in it spilling on the bottom of her shirt and jeans. It managed to get on his jeans too.

"Oh shit!" She gasped out. "I'm sorry!" She then shook her head. "No, no dont worry" Oscar tried to wave it off. "Look Oscar...I'm sorry if I've gave you the wrong impression. I'm not...wanting anything right now." She managed to tell him.

That was technically a lie, since she wanted Levi.

"Everything is up and down right now, and I'm just not looking for it. I'm sorry if I ever put the thought into your head. You're really cool! I like you, but just...not in...that way" She told him.

Oscar stared at her. Looking a little let down. He then nodded. "Yeah. I get it, dont worry Riley. I like you too, you're cool" He then smiled.

Just then Riley's phone chimed.

She took out her back pocket.

Groupchat ; ' Girls, wanna head to my house? We're all here, Austin has news - Drew '

Riley then stood up as she locked her phone. "Im sorry, I need to go." She told him. "Oh...uh okay?" Oscar stood too. "You're a great guy, okay. It's me, seriously. I'm so sorry about your tea, and...um...we'll talk soon okay" She nodded, and half smiled as she walked off.

She didnt want to exchange a hug or anything, the situation was getting a little complex, and uncomfortable for her.

Great, now she needed to head back home to change first.